The World This Hour - The World This Hour for 2025/04/17 at 05:00 EDT

Episode Date: April 17, 2025

The World This Hour for 2025/04/17 at 05:00 EDT

When they predict we'll fall, we rise to the challenge. When they say we're not a country, we stand on guard. This land taught us to be brave and caring, to protect our values, to leave no one behind. Canada is on the line and it's time to vote as though our country depends on it. Because like never before, it does. I'm Jonathan Pedneau, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada. This election, each vote makes a difference. Authorized by the Registeredleader of the Green Party of Canada. This election, each vote, makes a difference. Authorized by the registered agent of the Green Party of Canada.

From CBC News, the world this hour. I'm Neal Herland. We begin in Montreal, where four major party leaders faced off last night in the French language election debate. Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet took aim at the Liberal leader Mark Carney. You claim to have expertise in crisis management. I have not seen any. You say that you're an expert in managing a crisis. You're a negotiator, but, well, perhaps a negotiator with tax havens. But when it comes to trade agreements, I haven't

seen the proof. We apparently have to believe you. And Carney tried to defend his track record. I've just started as Prime Minister. I've been Prime Minister for a month. In the first week, I signed an agreement with the premiers of all the provinces, the Premier of Quebec and the premiers of all the provinces and territories concerning free trade within Canada.

Conservative leader Pierre Polyaev tried to compare Carney to the previous liberal leader. You're just like Justin Trudeau. You have exactly the same policies, the same approach. We need change. And you, Mr. Kearney, you do not embody change. You represent the ultra-rich. And NDP leader Jagmeet Singh attacked the Bloc leader trying to win back Francophones who voted for the New Democrats in the past. Honestly, Mr. Blanchet, unfortunately, in the last minority government, you showed that you were as useless as the monarchy is. You did nothing for people. What is worse, you voted against measures that

would help Quebecers. The Green Party was excluded from the debate at the last minute because it failed to meet the criteria already established by the debate organizers. The English debate is tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. There's still more than a week until Election Day in Canada, but yesterday inmates at prisons and jails across the country had their chance to cast a ballot. Dan Tacoma has more. Believe it or not, it takes you out of prison. Rick Sauvet knows the power of casting a ballot behind bars. People are talking about politics. They're talking about the platform. A former inmate, he appeared before the Supreme Court twice, helping prisoners win the right to vote, regardless of their sentence.

Roughly 23 years later, Sauvy's fight has inspired Ontario Senator Bernadette Clément, who's visited nine prisons to learn about barriers to elections inside. They cannot vote from the riding where the prison is located. They can't vote in the riding where they will spend many, many, many years of their lives. Elections Canada says more than 34,000 incarcerated electors, about 41% of those who are eligible, voted in the last federal election. The senator is preparing a report she plans to share with the correctional service and election officials after the votes are tallied. Dan Tacoma, CBC News, Kingston, Ontario.

In Los Angeles today, a judge will hear arguments on whether Eric and Lyle Menendez should be given a reduced sentence. They were found guilty of killing their parents in 1989. The case was turned into a sensational Netflix drama last year. Steve Futterman reports. The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996. In the last year though there has been a new push by supporters and relatives of the brothers to have the case reviewed, sparked by what they claim is new evidence that the brothers were sexually abused. The court ordered the plaintiffs of the brothers to

have the case reviewed sparked by what they claim is new evidence that the brothers were sexually abused by their father Jose. Annamarie Barral is a Menendez family member. If Lyle and Eric's case were heard today. With the understanding

we now have about abuse. There is no doubt in my mind that their sentencing would have been very different. The brothers will be connected to the courtroom today with a video link, and it's possible they will make statements and give testimony. If the judge reduces their sentence, Eric and Lyle Menendez would likely be eligible for parole. But even if the Parole Board recommends their release, it could still be blocked by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Steve Futterman for CBC News, Los Angeles.

And that is your World This Hour. For CBC News, I'm Neal Herland.